OVEREXPRESSION OF INTERLEUKIN-2 RECEPTOR-ALPHA MESSENGER-RNA IN PULMONARY LYMPHOCYTES OF LUNG-CANCER PATIENTS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERSTITIAL PULMONARY SHADOW

The activity of pulmonary lymphocytes was evaluated by the detection o f interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor alpha mRNA expression in lung cancer p atients associated with diffuse interstitial shadow on roentgenograms of their lungs. Reverse transcription coupled with the polymerase chai n reaction was used to detect mRNA expression. In 5 of 6 patients, IL- 2Ralpha mRNA expression was increased in pulmonary lymphocytes compare d with 4 normal controls. The expression in this mRNA in peripheral bl ood lymphocytes was almost undetectable in either normal controls or t hese patients. These results suggest that pulmonary lymphocytes in pat ients with lung cancer associated with diffuse interstitial shadows ar e activated and may promote the inflammatory process generating pulmon ary fibrosis.